Biomedical subjects

Fátima Borges

Publications and source records attributed to Fátima Borges.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Diagnosis and treatment of solitary thyroid nodule--study and evaluation in Portugal].

INTRODUCTION: The best diagnostic and treatment strategy for an approach to the nodular thyroid disease continues to be a controversial issue. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterise medical practice in the diagnosis and treatment of nodular thyroid disease by endocrinologists and surgeons in Portugal in 2002. METHODS: A questionnaire based on that used by the European Thyroid Association and the American Thyroid Association was drawn up. The questionnaire, based on a well-defined index case, was circulated by the Portuguese Endocrinology Society to endocrinologists and surgeons: 42 year-old woman with solitary thyroid nodule measuring 2 x 3 cm, with no history of malfunction or painful symptoms. Each doctor was asked to reply as to the adopted diagnosis and therapy procedures for the index case. Eleven variations to the original case were proposed in order to evaluate the alterations for each variation. RESULTS: 1492 questionnaires were sent out, 163 to endocrinologists and 1329 to surgeons. A total of 104 were returned. The global response rate was 7%. The response rate for endocrinologists was 27% and 4.5% for surgeons. Of the 104 questionnaires returned, 42% were from endocrinologists and 58% from surgeons. Concerning tests prescribed, surgeons would use more tests than endocrinologists for the index case. The main differences in laboratory terms were the higher number of prescriptions for total T4 and T3 and thyroglobulin by surgeons and more prescriptions for AATPO by endocrinologists. The average number of tests was 4.6, 4.1 for endocrinologists and 5.1 for surgeons. Relative to imaging and cytology, 32% of doctors advocated a scintigraphy to diagnose the index case, with no significant differences between endocrinologists and surgeons. Ultrasonography was used by over 85% of respondents. 90% prescribed a cytology, 83% guided by palpation and 18% ultrasonography-guided. Concerning treatment, 33% of doctors advocated levothyroxin treatment; surgery was advocated by 16.3% of endocrinologists and 36.6% of surgeons. Meanwhile, the majority of doctors (68%) would opt for no treatment and simply maintain the patient under surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: There are important differences in the approach to nodular thyroid disease among the various doctors and specialists, which highlight the difficulty in achieving a diagnostic and therapeutic consensus.

Endocrinology↗

PubMed2005

[Treatment and follow up protocol in differentiated thyroid carcinomas of follicular origin].

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma of follicular origin (DTCFO), although not very frequent, has registered a raising incidence in the last decades. In the majority of the cases, DTCFO is a curable disease when treated and monitored by experienced, multidisciplinary teams. These factors contribute to an increasing number of DTCFO survivors requiring life-long monitoring, due to the possibility of occurrence of recurrences many years after the initial treatment. Several aspects of the treatment and management of these patients are still controversial. The present protocol represents the consensus of the members of the Grupo de Estudo da Tiróide of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Endocrinologia, Diabetes e Metabolismo. It aims to define guidelines, in agreement with the current state of the art and contemplating the necessary adaptations to local constrains, that ensure decreased mortality and protection of patients' quality of life, avoiding unnecessarily aggressive or ineffective treatments, optimizing the use of the available resources.

Clinical Protocols↗

PubMed2005

[Clinical and demographic characteristics of 99 episodes of rheumatic fever in Acre, the Brazilian Amazon].

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical manifestations and demographic characteristics of patients with rheumatic fever treated in a public hospital in the state of Acre. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted of patients consecutively seen in the Cardiology Ward at FUNDHACRE Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were assessed through a questionnaire. The diagnosis of rheumatic fever was made based on Jones' criteria, associated with laboratory data, electrocardiography, chest X-ray, and bi-dimensional echocardiography. Patients with other heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory disease, and infections were excluded. Those who smoked, were pregnant, or used anti-inflammatory medication or hormone therapy were also excluded. RESULTS: From July 2003 to February 2004, 99 patients with rheumatic fever were assessed (mean age, 11 years, SD= +/- 10.18) with a predominance of females (59.6%), and a racial phenotype of a mixture of Caucasian and Indian (60.6%). Three individuals were excluded because they did not meet the diagnostic criteria. Mean age was 9.1 years old, and in 30.4% of the patients, the disease was diagnosed at the first episode of rheumatic fever. The most frequent clinical manifestations were carditis (69.7%), arthritis (21.4%), and chorea (6.1%). Mitral regurgitation was the most common lesion (36.4%) followed by the association of mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation (9.1%). CONCLUSION: Rheumatic carditis was the most common manifestation of rheumatic fever, predominant in the group with a racial mixture of Caucasian and Indian (60.6%). Low compliance with antibiotic therapy contributed to the recurrence of the disease and to cardiac sequelae.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hyperthyroidism and pregnancy].

The authors describe most common hyperthyroidism aetiologies that occur during pregnancy and also the immunity changes that define Graves' disease and the immunity tolerance associated to pregnancy. They also refer the clinical picture, laboratorial diagnosis and the treatment to be carried out. Medical treatment is mostly based on anti-thyroid drugs. Their characteristics and use during pregnancy are discussed.

Female↗